National team wins Under Armour baseball game, 6-4

Ryan and Cal Ripken

Under Armour 2011 All-American Game staff

Under Armour 2011 All-American Game staff

Baltimore Sun reporter

The National team, coached by former major league manager Larry Bowa, topped the American squad, 6-4, in the 2011 Under Armour All-America Baseball Game Saturday at Wrigley Field. The American team was coached by former Oriole Bill Ripken.

Ripken's nephew, Ryan, of Gilman, was the lone player from Maryland and played for the American team.

The game was delayed in the middle of the third inning because of heavy rain that hit the area. Play resumed after about a 90-minute delay, and the teams were tied until infielder Yairo Munoz hit a two-run single in the bottom of the eighth to give the National team a 6-4 lead. Another storm hit the area and Munoz's hit turned out to be the game-winner.

MVPs were chosen from each squad and each received the "Under Armour Silver Spike Award." Jesmuel Valentin from the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy was honored from the winners, while Gavin Cecchini from Barbe High School in Louisiana received the American team's award. Cecchini scored the game's first run when he doubled in the third inning, stole third and scored on a wild pitch. Valentin is the son of former major league infielder Jose Valentin.

The game showcased players from more than a dozen states as well as Canada, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Over the first three years of the event, 88 of the 103 draft eligible players who competed in the game were selected in the MLB Amateur Draft, including 18 first-round picks.